Storage and dispensing apparatus for liquefied gases



May 26, 1936.

1., J. WHITE Filed sept. 26, 1935 STORIAGEAND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR LIQUEFIED GASES 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1.. J. WHITE 2,042,439

PPARATUS FOR LIQUEFIED GASES 2 sheets-snee`t 2 May 26, 1936.

STORAGE AND DISPENSING A Filed sept 26, 19:55

Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR LIQUEFIED GASES Loyd J. White. San Antonio, Tex., assignor to Southern Steel Company, a corporation of Texan Application September 26, 1935, Serial No. 42,337

Claims.

This invention relates to storage and dispensing apparatus for liquefied gases and, among other objects, aims to provide an improved compact and relatively simple installation adapted 5 to be assembled at the factory and shipped as a complete unit ready to be connected for use in a household. The main idea is to provide means to protect the dispensing and controlling apparatus located on the outside of the storage tank from destructive vibration in transit and when the plant is installed underground to protect the mechanism from the surrounding earth fill. from unauthorized tampering and from dust, rain and extreme cold.

Other aims and advantages of the invention will appear in the specification, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of an installation embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the installation there shown for illustrative purposes is designed for use in dispensing liqueed petroleum gases, such as normal butane, isobutane.,

propane or a mixture of butane and propane gases and the apparatus is adapted to be buried in the ground. In this instance. the liquefied gas is stored in a horizontally arranged cylindrical tank I0 of any suitable capacity. 'nils tank is adapted to be nlled with liquefied gas under pressure through a stand pipe Il and a branch I2 having an ordinary inlet valve i2. As the liqueed gas is being charged into the tank, vaporized gas in the tank is allowed to escape into the air or into the filling tank through a pipe I4 having an outlet valve i5, to make room for the new supply of liqueed gas. The lower end of pipe i 4 determines the level to which the liquefied gas can be raised. Some clearance or vapor space is required for safe operation.

The stand pipe il conveniently carries a level gage i6 at its upper end connected to an ordinary float i1 within the tank, although, it is to be understood that any other convenient type of level indicating apparatus may be employed.

The vapor under pressure is delivered through a conduit I8, having a hand valve i9; thence. through an ordinary pressure reducing regulator 20 to an outlet pipe 2| and a service main 22. In this instance, water is conducted through the 55 uqueaed ges m the tank to insure that 1t is ai- (CL Git- 122) a vent pipe 25 in heat exchanging relation with 10 the liquefied gas and conveniently passes through one end of the tank. as shown. Thus. circulation of the water supplies ample heat to vaporize the liquid.

The circulating water is also used in this inl5 stance to re-vaporize any condensed gas in the service outlet conduit. For this purpose, the outlet pipe 2i extends into the cylindrical conduit 24 to a. point near the bottom thereof, the lower end being closed and preferably supported by a 2o cross bar or bracket 26.

'I'he service pipe 22 extends through the wall of the conduit 24 near its upper end and is connected to the pipe 2i therein. thus providing a vertical trap to catch any condensed gas vapor. 25 This condensate is quickly re-vaporized by the circulating water in the cylindrical conduit. This is a very important feature, especially in plants used in extremely cold climates because the gas vapor condenses at a temperature between about 30 48 F. and 32 F., depending on the mixture employed. Hence, the water which is always above the freezing point will supply sufficient heat to re-vaporize the liquefied gas.

As is usual in systems of this type. an ordinary 35 relief valve 21 is connected to the low pressure side of the regulating valve 20 to protect the appliances from any excessive pressure. This relief valve has an outlet conduit 28 and a vent pipe 29. Also, a vent pipe 3U is connected to the 40 pressure regulator. All of these pipes are shown as extending above the ground level so that no water can submerge them and interfere with their functions.

To protect the mechanism outside the tank 45 during shipment and after its installation in the ground. there is shown a sheet metal casing 3| which can be of any suitable shape but is preferably frusto-pyramldal, having four sides converging upwardly. The lower ends are cut to 50 conform to the contour of the tank and opposite side walls are preferably bolted to angle brackets 32 welded on the tank. I'he top of the casing or housing is closed by a suitable cover I3 hinged or otherwise removably secured thereto. It la shown as having a pipe handle 34 providing a 'vent for the interior of the casing. Incidentally,

the pipes 28, 29, and 30 are shown as being secured near their upper ends to one wall oi' the housing. It will be observed that the upper end of the housing 3i protrudes slightly above the ground so that the apparatus within is readily accessible by removing .the cover.

It is important that the pressure regulator be protected from freezing temperatures in order that it may function properly. In mild climates the casing alone is suiiicient for this purpose. In cold climates the interior of the casing is preferably filled or lined with any suitable heat insulating material, such as asbestos or rock wool. In Fig. 1, the casing has a layer 35 of such lining which is preferably a few inches thick. It retards the escape of the earths heat through the top of the casing. It will be understood that the earths heat is used to help vaporize the liquefied gas in the tank. In some instances the casing will be filled with such insulation to a point above the level of the regulator 20 better to protect the apparatus in cold weather.

Thus. it will be clear that the apparatus is well protected. The whole unit may be assembled and tested at the factory and the casing will serve to prevent damage to the parts during shipment. Otherwise, the pipes might be knocked or jarred and cause dangerous leaks. Moreover, the casing makes all of the apparatus easily accessible for service, inspection and repairs. Also, the complete units may be displayed in sales rooms and present an attractive appearance.

Obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly, since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations.

What is claimed is:

1. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing plant of the class described, a storage tank; dispensing devices, including a pressure reducing regulator connected to said tank; a service pipe connected to said regulator; and heat exchanging means associated with said service pipe to revaporize any condensed gas therein.

2. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing plant of the class described, a storage tank; dispensing means connected to the tank for de livering gas at a low pressure therefrom; a service pipe leading from said dispensing means having a portion projecting into said tank; a water 5 conduit around said pipe within the tank providing a heat exchanger for re-vaporizing condensed gas therein; and water pipes connected to said conduit for circulating water in heat exchanging relation to liquefied gas in the tank. 10

3. A storage and dispensing system for liquefied petroleum gases under pressure comprising, in combination, a storage tank adapted to be buried in the ground; a valved filling conduit for the storage tank; a valved gas dispensing con- 15 duit connected to the tank; an automatic pressure regulator connected to the dispensing conduit; a protecting casing secured to the tank and providing a housing for said filling conduit, said valve and said pressure regulator; a safety 20 vent pipe connected to said pressure regulator and projecting upwardly into said protecting casing to a point near the top; and a vented removable cover for said casing adapted to project above the ground so that the parts in said 25 casing are accessible for removal or repairs.

4. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing system of the class described, a storage tank for holding liqueiied gas under pressure; dispensing means, including a pressure reducing valve con- 30 nected to said tank; and a heat exchanger connected to the dispensing means to revaporize any condensate in the dispensing conduit after the gas passes through said pressure reducing valve.

5. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing plant of the character described. a storage tank for holding the liquefied gas under pressure adapted to be buried in the ground; filling and dispensing devices. including a pressure regulator and valved conduits secured to the tank and projecting upwardly therefrom; a protecting casing for said devices secured to the tank adapted to be partially buried in the ground with the tank; 45 a vent for said regulator extending to the top of the casing above the ground level; and a removable cover for said casing to permit access to said devices.

LOYD J. WHITE- 50 

